Biodiversity Research Expeditions | Documenting New Species In Remote Areas Of South Africa.
- Hamba Africa
- Feb 11
- 17 min read
About this article
We'll be virtually exploring the remote wilderness area where Hamba Africa's Biodiversity & Research Expeditions take place and operate in.
This article will likely prove useful for those with an academic background such as university researchers or professionals looking for sites of scientific interest in Africa to conduct field research, surveys or studies.
We'll discuss and provide brief information covering the:
Anthropological & archaeological history
Geology & minerology
Biodiversity, habitat and rare species present
Research methodologies, projects and opportunities
Climate and seasonal trends
Onsite experts and professionals
In addition to site information, species and environmental details, it will also include examples and use cases for hosting natural science-focused expeditions or custom research groups.
Although these expedition groups are open to volunteers and participants in the form of Citizen Scientists, passionate or early-stage conservation or ecological career individuals, even university students looking for international study placements with African wildlife and the opportunity to get involved with the scientific and research standards involved with expeditionary groups.... as well as the adventure!
In Brief | The site and research location
Biodiversity research expeditions in South Africa operate and explore over 30,000 hectares of vast nature reserve and wilderness area, based on the northern fringes of South Africa, near the confluence of the Shashe and Limpopo Rivers, forming a part of the UNESCO Mapungubwe Cultural Landscape and sharing a border with Mapungubwe National Park itself.
The site is closed today, with limited access only being given to pre-approved research, conservation, scientific or other official parties or organisations.
This gives the reserve a unique security and protection to preserve its natural and cultural heritage long-term, with such limited access as well as minimal impact from modern human pressure due to its remote location, this is a rare opportunity to study the natural world at its most pristine, wild level.
In addition to being a biodiversity hotspot, this region is also rich in human history and pre-history, from sites and evidence of fixed habitation to cave paintings and various stone tool sites found across the landscape.
Anthropological & archaeological history
The archaeological and human activity in the region spans from hundreds of years ago, such as the nearby Mapungubwe hill and it's earliest activity estimated at 900AD to the Neolithic and Palaeolithic, with findings going back tens of thousands of years.
Acknowledging the anthropological and archaeological significance of the area
Although Hamba Africa and our research partners that lead these expeditions are focused on ecology, meaning we do not have any specific goals or projects planned relating to anthropological or archaeological research in this still largely undocumented area, we are obviously highly curious and respectful to the broader cultural and historic significance which are present and often encountered during biodiversity expeditions.
The history of the region is profound, Arab traders operated in the region hundreds of years before Europeans, as well as evidence of Chinese manufactured goods and materials, which implies either direct or indirect contact with Asia from around 1200AD.
Owing to the area's rich mineral and metal deposits (which we'll touch on later in this article), once the Bantu people migrated into South Africa from northern Africa and colonized the area, this region became a key trade hotspot, with the export of copper and gold to these Arab traders.
In addition, with the Bantu came new technologies such as iron working and agriculture, the San (also known as the San Bushmen) who were the original people native to this region and largely operated via a hunter-gather society, using stone tools and their deep knowledge of the environment to survive.
Shortly after the Bantu's arrival, the San either left or were wiped out, potentially in response to competition for resources due to conflict with the Bantu's cattle and agricultural needs versus the San's need for hunting areas.
How long the San were present in this region is unknown, but tens of thousands of years is a reasonable assumption.
As San bushmen society relies completely on their environment for resources, and functions at a neolithic level of technology or tool use, this means there is little physical evidence of any activity, as materials they used would be predominantely organic, decomposing naturally, or at best, worked stones found at manufacturing sites or randomly dropped in the field as they moved through the area.
Although there are several known cave painting sites in the area (and likely more unknown ones!) with our researchers having found various hotspots containing grinding stones, stone spear or axe heads and various other beads have been found... as mentioned previously, archaeology and anthropology isn't a key target with our expeditions, more so a notable curiosity present in the environment.
Beyond the San
The San have been in South Africa since time immemorial, hundreds of thousands of years in some regions and can still be found today, mainly in Botswana and Namibia.
Going back further than the San, hominids have been found across South Africa for millions of years, so lurking somewhere deep in a cave on this site, it's very probable there's a fossil of some long-lost Australopithecus or homo-habilis ancestor waiting to be uncovered.
If you are a university student, staff member or researcher who specialises in archaeology, anthropology or prehistoric studies and would like to understand more about the sort of findings we're uncovering in the area, please contact our team directly, they'll be able to respond on a confidential and case-by-case basis.
Regardless of your background or interest, we expect anyone who joins a scientific expedition to approach historical sites or findings with respect and reverence.
Geology & minerology
The wilderness area and reserve is spread across a rich, varied and ancient geological landscape, this is important to note as its this rare and complex geological history that forms the basis for the many habitats and environments biodiversity now thrives in.
Archaean foundations
The foundations for this area were formed in Archaean Eon, 3.5 to 2.5 billion years ago a critical period in Earth's history marking the formation of the first cratons (continental cores) and the emergence of life.
Comprised of Swabian Super Crustal rocks and structurally complex meta-sediments and Messina Layered Intrusion of Quartz-Hornblende-Plagioclase Gneisses.
Later sandstone regions were deposited much later as part of the Karoo Basin Super Group during the Permian-Jurassic period (300 - 200 MYA approx), relatively "recent" for the region, these sandstone areas now form many of the elaborate cliffs and bluffs bordering the Limpopo River.
This is an incredibly old landscape, which, along with giving evolution the ultimate laboratory to experiment in, has meant vast swaths of time have allowed other geological events to overlay and manipulate the landscape into even more remarkable features and environments.
Geological processes of the area
The wilderness area surveyed during expeditions is based on the northern edge of an elongated "mobile belt", the boundary region of the Swazian tectonic plate Craton (also called the Kaapvaal Craton).
This "mobile belt" acts as a fluid boundary between the fixed Swazian Craton to the south, and the Zimbabwean Craton to the north.
Over the billions of years, as tectonic and volcanic activity has occurred, it meant this "mobile belt" experienced various complex geological events, as well as an bringing incredible upwelling of minerals deep from within the earths mantel.
Volcanic dykes and intrusions
Spread out across the landscape are varied volcanic dykes, these walls of rock are typically Jurassic dolerite dykes.
Formed by subterranean eruptions along seams, fractures or gaps in rock that were later expanded by the pressure of intrusive magma. The softer rock above wearing down over the billions of years, leaving the harder volcanic rock exposed, complete with smaller crevices, nesting locations or other microclimates.
Hydrothermal vents
Over the millennia, water seeping deep into the bedrock during igneous activity in the area became superheated and capable of dissolving the minerals within rock strata, then altering or concentrating them as ore mineral and crystals.
An example being Messina mine, located nearby in Musina, a historic copper mine famous for producing exceptional mineral specimens, particularly papagoite inclusions, blue ajoite, and the megacrystal plagioclase complex associated with it.
Flood and river plains
What is today called the Limpopo river and the Shashe has run through the area long before people were there to name it.
For millions of years these river have cut through and carried rock and material across the landscape, dramatic seasonal wet seasons cause torrents that spread across massive and extensive flood plains, now scattered with random mixes of river stone carried there and deposited unknown years ago.
Others areas have build up with sediment and fertile material to create riverine, forested and mixed wetland areas.
Seasonal pans and pools are also dotted across the drier plains and basins, where arid environments and thin soil mean a minimal water table.
Biodiversity, habitat and species present
This wilderness area and nature reserve operate largely unsupported by ecological management or human activity.
This is unusual in comparison to other wildlife or nature reserve areas, which often have a direct and active relationship with a team of wildlife experts that the environment relies on for many functions, from genetic diversity management of large species owing to fenced reserve boundaries, to habitat restoration initiatives esspecially in areas where reserves are reclaimed agricultural land.
However, other reserves take the proactive steps to safeguard and restore conservation according to their policy and resources, this wilderness area has a "hands off" approach.
Limited direct interaction
With the exception of certain vaccinations or radio tracking collars being given to critical species such as Wild Dogs, or a response to a poaching crisis in which protected rhinos were moved out of areas bordering Mozambique and Zimbabwe to other, safer parts of South Africa, the wilderness area has a minimal reliance on ecologists or conservationists.
The reserve has also never been open for tourism or recreational use, meaning that the animals present display completely natural behaviour, ideal for observational studies.
Biodiversity in brief
Based on the previously mentioned complex geology, this reserve and its environment is a mixture of habitats, with hot summers regularly reaching temperatures over 40 degrees Celsius, to heavy rains and downpours during the wet season and then long and drier periods during the cooler winter months.
As a result, the area is home to mixed Mopane woodlands in more arid or water-minimal plains, grasses on more fertile and wetter basins, riverine valleys with often seasonal rivers and tributaries, sandstone cliffs or bluffs, typically with scrub, brush and water-resistant plant species such as the baobab or succulents.
Mammal species present
The reserve is a sanctuary for many species of African mammals, large and small.
Home to larger and iconic African species, including: Elephants, Lions, Leopard, Cheetah, Hyena, Giraffe, Antelope, Suidae, Aardvarck, Zebra and even the rare Wild Dogs.
In addition, a myriad of smaller species including: Primates, Civet, Mongooses, Genets, Rodents, Lagomorphs, Bats, Porcupines, Hyrax and more.
Mammal behaviour It's important to note that due to the area's wild nature, mammal species on the reserve behave completely naturally and with minimal impact or influence of humans.
As tourism is completely closed to this area, it means that even factors like the most well-intending tourist or commercial disruption won't cause unintended effects that alter animal's movements, adaptations or stresses.
Bird species present
There have been over 400 species of bird recorded in the area, being in close proximity to the large Limpopo and Shashe rivers as well as with the various fixed water sources found across the reserve, wetland and migratory birds oftern use the wilderness area as a feeding area both seasonally as well as permanently.
There are several endangered and rarer more notable birds found in this region, including the Pel's Fishing Owl, Lappet-Faced Vulture, Southern Crested Guinea Fowl as well as many more.
This makes the region an incredible opportunity for ornithologists looking for research and study placements on birds in South Africa.
Entomology
The main function and objective of the research expeditions is to document new species previously unknown to the taxonomical literature, as well as establish the presence of rarerly seen or species not yet confirmed to be present in the area.
Entomological analysis and submission of findings is led by onsite experts, these established research experts are practised and experienced in operating in remote regions across Africa, targeting insects, arachnids and other invertebrates for study, with further specialisations into the superfamily Scarabaeinae (Dung Beetles).
The importance of Dung Beetles in ecosystems.
There are hundreds of individual species of "Dung Beetle" found in Southern Africa and each play a critical role in many ecosystems.
Depending on the species itself, it has a variety of different roles and functions in the environment it's found in, some are specialist to singular species or niches, others are generalists having a relationships with various other animals, typically large mammals.
Most dung beetles have a role broadly as nutritional recyclers, detritivores that recover nutrition discarded by another animal in the form of excrement, but they also perform wider functions to an ecosystem, from seed dispersal with plants as they store and bury caches of dung implanted with larva across the area, soil aeration through their digging and burrowing activities, disease prevension by minimising the spread of other species such as flies, even developing habitat for other specialist species of fungi as they open up dung heaps to innoculation from mushroom spore.
Dung beetles, as well as many other insect species are often overlooked in conservation in favour of more "popular" species that translate better to TV or fluffy stuffed toys.
Regardless of what's popular with people, without invertibrates, life would not function on this planet, African wildernesses and human civilization included!
Researching and documenting insect species on a South African reserve
It is important to identify and document as many species as possible, both out of good old scientific curiosity, but also out of utility, to identify, model and map the functions and roles varying species have in ecosystems.
The long-term benefit in this is that the greater detail and understanding we have of this complex interrelating system, the better equipped scientists are with monitoring health, or analysing and determining risks or changes in the environment, and hopefully how to safeguard and support it into the future.
Insect species present
In addition to a wealth of Dung Beetles, the reserve is also home to a variety of other insect species.
From arachnids to ants, butterflies and moths, millipedes, centipedes, sollofuges, katydids, crickets, mantids, bees, wasps and many, many more.
Infact there are over 44,000 species of insect found in South Africa, in comparison to around 300 mammal species, 800 bird species and 450 reptile species, with many insect species still remaining undocumented.
Botany
There are many varying habitats composed of a variety of different plant biomes, some are made of areas with a predominantly dominant or a limited number of common species, for example, with Mopane Woodlands, which then support their own distinct biodiversity.
There are also smaller areas, sometimes isolated and pocketed regions including forests or groves, as well as microenvironments that host or act as refuge for specialist plant species, such as those clinging to the varying sandstone or volcanic ridges, cliffs and valleys and host unusual species of fern, trees or forbs.
Owing to the area's age, and minimal disruption from human activity, slower growing plant species such as Baobab or Lead Wood, which often grow for thousands of years can reach their full size and potential, undisturbed.
This nature reserve has fantastic opportunities for botanists or university students looking to conduct plant-based fieldwork and research placement in South Africa.
Mycology
Mycology and the study of fungi is a field that receives less support, research and resources than it deserves.
Unfortunately, Hamba Africa lacks the expertise and ability to effectively incorporate mycological research into field research expeditions... for now.
That said, we conjecture a few potential discrepancies with the established academic literature in terms of the distribution of fungal species in the area, as well as noting interesting anecdotal findings that highlight relationships between certain fungal species we're documenting in the area and key large mammal species.
Ultimately, further study is needed in this area.
We're open to any academic, professional or university researchers or students looking to engage in mycology-focused field work and expeditions in South Africa and this region. We would even be open to collaborating remotely provide data and samples of our direct findings on the ground for laboratory analysis elsewhere in the world.
Reptiles and Amphibians
The area is a reptile and amphibian paradise, with hot summers, an abundance of varying and often rocky habitats perfect for snakes and geckos alike, as well as vast amounts of insect esspecially during wetter months, along with bird and small mammal biodiversity that support many of the large reptile species such as crocodiles & snakes.
From chamelons, to tortoises and terapins, frogs, toads, skinks, agamas and multiple snake species ranging from the giant African Rock Python to the smallest Thread Snake and everything in between.
The limpopo province contains over half of South Africa's 434 total species of reptile, with the region that this nature reserve covers giving great opportunity to study and document these species, as well as more pronouced local "morphs", which are common to herpetology and reptiles as they addapt or change pattern or camoflage depending on the rock, substrate in the environment and general selective breeding due to these evolutionary pressures.
The region is home to various species of venomous snakes, including cobras, boomslang and the notorious Black Mamba.
Given the remoteness of the region and the minimal medical infrastructure present, additional care must be given to any herpetology-focused research objectives.
For those with previous direct experience handling reptiles, or conducting field surveys to capture and record data on specifically venomous snakes, there may be opportunities to gather similar data on this wilderness area.
We recommend at a minimum anyone attempting to capture reptiles for research in an area populated by venomous snakes has completed a handling and first aid course at qualified reptile training program in South Africa prior to any field work.
Typical research methodologies and equipment
The first critical element involved with remote field work and research in African wilderness area is: getting there.
You can complete that in a couple of ways, either by relying on Hamba Africa entirely to facilitate everything from international travel to local arrival, regardless of if you are joining solo or as a group, or if you are making your own way to the site, maybe you just a few helpful suggestions for good eats and bnb's during the long journey.
Regardless of how you've arrived, you'll find a complete research centre with good facilities for desk work, presentation rooms, analysis, equipment space, power availability and supporting infrastructure from wi-fi to good air conditioning to beat the heat as well as comfortable personal accommodation and grounds.
Vehicles To cover such a massive area, there are two dedicated and equpped off roading vehicles, the road infrastructure through the reserve can be minimal... to non-existant.
As such appropriate vehicles equipped with radio and communication equipment is required, as well as emergency support units being available to respond to any actual stranding in this remote location. For context - having to spend hours digging out a vehicle is not stricty speaking an "emergency", it is just really really annoying.
It's only after digging has been tried and failed that the backup vehicle might be summoned. If for whatever reason the backup vehicle isn't able to get to you, or maybe gets stuck itself, then walking all the way home will be thought about.
After walking all the way home has been thought of and is off the table, maybe if it would get dark first? Only then an emergency call can be justified.
Thus is the nature of working in the vast african wilderness.
Methodologies for conducting entomological and field research
As part of the research group, you'll be lead at all times by qualified trails guides and local research experts as you travel to many sites and habitats across the reserve.
Once at these sites, and depending on target species, you'll incorporate various established techniques and equipment to capture, record and analyis data based on your findings, samples and discoveries.
Live capture with nets
In this incredibly diverse environment buzzing with life, sometimes the best approach is to just go straight at it!
Using large capture nets designed to capture predominantly flying or hopping insects, as well as arboreal or climbing species that can be actively spotted and targeted. Captured insects can then be contained for further identification and analysis, photographed or recorded if relevant to research designs, and then typically returned to the wild.
Some species may be retained for later study, or even tokened and submitted for further laboratory or academic study and scrutiny.
Nocturnal surveys
There are many species of insect that are active exclusively nocturnally, others have specific conditions or behaviours that at night can be used as opportunities for study, such as scorpians reacting to ultraviolet light, meaning they are more easily spotted.
Moths and other insects can also be attracted and captured at night with netting, lights, or even sent.
Recording these species is equally as important as the diurnal species active during the day.
Macrophoto identification With the use of high-quality imagery, definitive identification guides and proof can be used to build population databases of species operating in the region.
These databases can be maintained and developed long term, with various influences, climatic changes, sequences or trends analysed and compared.
Photography is a powerful tool for entomology and research on smaller, detailed species, it also ensures a minimal impact to species as they are photographed, with insects then being able to be released back into the environment safely and after being recorded.
Site sampling Sites are selected during research based on several objectives, from broad and random surveying to determine average populations and densities of diversity over large areas.
To more limited sites or locations based on uncommon or microenvironments.
In addition, there are specific priority species that are theorised to have predetermined habitat, seasonal trends or related species that if present, suggest they might be active in an area as well.
These priority species will be separately targeted.
Biological sampling Biological samples as well as specimens for further analysis or to be tokened as part of taxonomic classification may be taken during research.
This is something that is done with the ethics being based on legitimate scientific justification and inquiry, as well as all appropriate permissions.
Climate and seasonal trends
The northernmost border of South Africa, its latitude means it falls into a semi-arid region that extends along its northern border and into Zimbabwe, as well as then traveling west.... into the interior of Botswana and the Khalahari.
Broken by the powerful Limpopo River, this is hot in its summer, reagularly entering the 40 degree's celcius range during the peak of summer of December and January. Winters are still warm, usually being around a cool 10 degrees at night, even at its coldest.
The region experiences incredible rains and downpours during the wet summer season, it receives on average 450mm of rain a year, usually limitted to just 10 - 14 days of rain each year... For comparisson, the UK has an average of 800mm of rain over 140 days!
The semi-arid region this nature reserve falls into is expanding across Southern Africa based on changes in meteorological conditions, meaning its increasingly imporant to ensure this site is protected and study due to this trend and landscape that is growing across the continent.
On-site experts and researchers These research expeditions are led by onsite experts, professional guides who are experienced and qualified to operate in these rugged regions, as well as experts with backgrounds working with academia, university and governmental research institutes and initiatives, as well as specialist partners for equipment or logistical requirements.
Research will be conducted based on the expert's existing objectives, methodologies and requirements depending on health and safety or project mandates.
The onsite experts and researchers are the authoritative role on any project, identification, analyisis or even permission for project development or participation.
Getting involved with an expedition
During these research expeditions, the more support and personnel available to conduct any survey, assisting with the placement of equipment, inputting of data and analysing results, the better. Participants or volunteers are welcome to join, and training and guidances into the projects will be given to ensure maximum success.
This area is home to many fascinating examples of biodiversity and natural science, as well as all those unknowns still waiting to be discovered!
To support that, if you think you are up for the challenge of getting involved with wildlife and ecological research on a remote South African nature reserve, please contact our team to discuss when the next planned expeditions are.
Are you a university or an organisation looking to plan conservation research groups in South Africa?
If you need any advice, support or even access to sites and the opportunity to conduct and organise an international research group to study wildlife, geology or ecology in South Africa, you are welcome to contact our team on info@hambaafrica.co.uk
Depending on your request, they'll discuss feasibility to determine if it's viable or relavent given the reserve itself, as well as help define any next steps or group design.
Funding and grants for research Hamba Africa has supported many university students or researchers with grant applications for funding to support their international research ambitions.
Visit our funding guide and article here for further information, or better yet, speak to our team directly who will be able to understand and validate any grant request.
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